Chris Sutton believes a top four finish in the Premier League is Chelsea’s to lose this season and he’s suggested that striker Olivier Giroud could be the man to help them get over the line.
The Blues currently occupy fourth in the league table and have been around the Champions League spots for the majority of the season.
They have a three-point cushion ahead of fifth-placed Manchester United, while the duo of Tottenham and Sheffield United are just a point further back from them too.
Frank Lampard’s side will be desperate to finish in the top four and ensuring Champions League football for next season will have a massive impact on their summer transfer business, as the world’s elite players want to play in the biggest competitions.
Sutton believes that Giroud could be Chelsea’s answer in the remaining months of the season to keep them in the top four.
The experienced centre-forward has scored two goals in his 10 appearances across all competitions this season and has spent the majority of time watching from the stands.
But he’s started back-to-back games in the last two matches and reminded everyone why he’s a World Cup winner with France.
“It feels like fourth place is theirs to lose, but Lampard got it right when he said after last week’s defeat by Manchester United that their season starts now, and they responded with an important win over one of their main rivals, Tottenham,” Sutton told BBC Sport.
“What Lampard does with France striker Olivier Giroud now is going to be interesting, because he did well against Tottenham in his first Premier League start since November.
“Maybe he is exactly what they need for the last couple of months of the season – an experienced head to come into the side and carry on a bit of momentum to get them over the line.”
Many Chelsea fans have been mystified this season as to why Giroud slipped behind Michy Batshuayi in the striker pecking order, but that’s surely not the case anymore.
Lampard’s big decision will be who he puts faith in moving forward now that Tammy Abraham is beginning to regain his full fitness.
Despite the fact Giroud’s contract at Stamford Bridge expires at the end of the season, it makes sense to use him while he is still at the club as he can bully centre-backs and bring attackers around him into play effectively.
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